Gov’t reminded to respect local ordinances on mining
Group supports call local autonomy on mineral resources management

Manila – Government must in fact recognize local ordinances that uphold biodiversity conservation and promote human rights especially of the Indigenous Peoples, instead of threatening them with the primacy of national policies, said Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) reacting on the much-delayed Executive Order on Mining.

“It is already frustrating that instead of receiving support for trying to protect the remaining forest, water and coastal resources in the country, local government units with this kind of ordinances are being challenged in court battle by big mining companies – and now, by the government?” said Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina.

ATM feared that the said provision in the proposed EO can be used by the government to manipulate mining situations and assert projects despite strong opposition from the local leaders and the communities.

“We are talking significant ordinances here that speak good issues such as sustainable use of resources, protection of the environment in relation to climate-change mitigation and adaptation and more importantly disaster-risk reduction – why would you challenge that?” Garganera added.

The EO on mining drew ires from local leaders and civil society groups after Environment Secretary Ramon Paje announced that in the proposed policy national legislation will be asserted over local anti-mining ordinances.

“So, who really is the boss now?” asked Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) and 2012 Goldman Prize Environmental Awardee.

Gariguez also mentioned that the President needs to be reminded of his pronouncement that the Filipino people are his boss. “As part of the Filipino community we support ordinances that defend our ecology, food, livelihood and human rights. He should adhere to the valid call of his boss”

“The local government code is a manifestation of the democracy in the country, and an indicator of that is the power vested to local leaders in making decisions on their jurisdiction. To have an executive order that overpowers such provision and seems unequivocal is attracting a martial-law in spirit,” Gariguez added. (30)
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Alyansa Tigil Mina is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who are opposing the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of Executive Order 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995 and passage of the AMMB.
For more information:
Fr Edu Gariguez, CBCP-NASSA Executive Secretary, 09198005595
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator – 09277617602
Farah Sevilla – policy@alyansatigilmina.net; 0915-3313361
Edel S. Garingan – communications@alyansatigilmina.net; 0922-8918972

ATM Press Release
June 27, 2012

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